Effort under way to protect kids from food allergies

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in 25 American children is affected by food allergies, which in some cases can be life threatening.

To help with this growing problem the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is putting out new guidelines. It says doctors should work with allergists to pin down what a child is allergic to and how severe the allergy might be.

The guidelines also try to help physicians figure out which tests are the most effective for determining whether someone has a true food allergy.

The guidelines say parents and doctors should give the school a written treatment for allergic patients.

It also recommends children with food allergies be taught how to administer their own medication in case of an emergency.